Linebacker Jerod Mayo and the New England Patriots’ defense turned in a great effort in Monday night’s home win over Houston. But they’ll need to be ready for prime time again in Sunday night’s tough matchup with San Francisco.

Mayo, bound for his second Pro Bowl appearance, is enjoying the best season of his career, with 124 tackles, three sacks, an interception and four forced fumbles through 13 games. Though he’s been making big plays all over the field, he’s also working to provide some extra holiday cheer off the field.

On Tuesday, Mayo joined Subway spokesman Jared Fogle to surprise Boston area locals with 12 random acts of kindness as part of Subway Restaurants’ customer appreciation month. For this week’s edition of Sporting News’ Huddle Up! Podcast, Mayo talked to Vinnie Iyer about his Subway team-up, the Patriots' linebacker unit and the challenges presented by the 49ers’ offense:

SN: You really were able to put it on the Texans. How were you able to stifle their offense?

Mayo: Having the extra day, using it to improve our game plan. Guys watched a lot of film to know exactly what they had to. Now we have another big game this week, so it’s time to turn the page.

SN: As you’re preparing for the 49ers, have you seen any quarterback quite like Colin Kaepernick in the AFC, a dynamic runner who can also throw deep?

Mayo: I don’t think we’ve played a quarterback of his caliber in terms of running the football. They have a great team in general in all three phases of the game, so it won’t be just about him.

SN: You’ve been a good leader on the defense. When you’re watching your quarterback, Tom Brady, and the offense enter a complete zone like they were on Monday night, what goes through your head?

Mayo: Just keep it going. Anytime you get to chill on the sidelines as a defensive player, it’s all good. As a defense, we always talk about getting the ball back in their hands as quickly as we can, and that was especially the mind-set on Monday night.

SN: As well prepared the Patriots’ players always are, how do you manage to also stay so loose out there?

Mayo: Anytime you go out in a prime-time game like that, you can’t get too uptight. Guys talk about it in the huddle. We keep guys relaxed by always forgetting about that last play.

SN: What’s impressed you most about the great season Vince Wilfork is having in front of you?

Mayo: He played excellent on Monday night, but the entire defensive line is playing very well, keeping us clean on the back end. You see it, as far as the third-down conversion and rushing yardage go.

SN: How do you think your season has gone so far, working within the flow of an improved linebacker corps?

Mayo: I feel fortunate to be part of a great group. Brandon Spikes, Don’ta Hightower, Tracy White—they just make me better. Really, I just try to go out every day in practice and keep up with them. We have competition every week to see who’s going to go out there and make the most plays, most tackles.

SN: How much fun will the AFC playoffs be with the Patriots trying to get past the Texans, Broncos and Ravens again?

Mayo: It definitely will be fun. The AFC has a lot of very good teams, and like I told Arian Foster on Monday night, “We’ll probably see you again down the line.”

SN: With your last name being Mayo, was it a natural for you to team up with Subway?

Mayo: It was definitely a natural partnership. They have light mayo, regular mayo, all on great sandwiches.

SN: You’re not going to say you prefer mustard on your sandwiches, are you?